Our trip to Kirtland

Friday, March 9, 2007, we ventured off to Kirtland, Ohio, with Bart and Marcie. Jeff and I have not visited there since we have lived in Ohio. It was a new experience for us all.

We hit the jackpot. It just so happened that the "Dead Sea Scrolls" were being displayed at the Visitor's Center, too. Yay!

So, first we headed over to the Visitor's Center to look at the "Dead Sea Scrolls" and start our tour of Kirtland.

ummm, pretty self explanatory

The Cragun's outside of the Visitor's Center


Inside the Visitor's Center

Bart and Marcie

The scrolls were found in vases like these that had been buried in deep caves:

The Whitney Home

Next, we headed over to look at the Whitney home:


After coming to Kirtland, Joseph and Emma were welcomed into the home of Brother and Sister Whitney. They later moved into the Whitney's storehouse. We were told that the Smith's stayed in Kirtland for over three years before they were able to get a house of their own.

The Whitney Home

The Parlor

This room was where Joseph would spend most of his time while he stayed in the Whitney home. That means that it became the Church's Headquarters. It is also said that the first healing of the sick took place in this room. Sister Johnson had an arthritic arm and couldn't lift her arm up past her shoulder. After a blessing from the Prophet Joseph, she never had problems with her arm again.

N.K. Whitney Store

Then we headed over to the N.K. Whitney Store:

The salesroom

Mr. Whitney was also the postmaster

another angle of the salesroom

The Back Room

This was the backroom where all of the items shipped to the store was sorted and put in their proper place. Later this room would become the first Bishop's Storehouse after Brother Whitney became bishop.

The Cellar

During the winters, the pioneers would go up to Lake Erie and chop up big chunks of ice. They would bring them back to their homes and pack them in straw and (I believe newspapers.) Then they would place them in their cellars where it was cool. If done properly, the ice would last until late August.

Joseph and Emma's kitchen in the store

Brother and Sister Whitney gave up part of their store in the back, so that Joseph and Emma could have their own kitchen. They then gave the Smith's rooms upstairs, too.

Joseph and Emma's bedroom on the second level of the Store

We were told that this is where Emma gave birth to their firstborn that lived longer than infancy.

Goodnight, Sleep tight, Don't let the bedbugs bite!

We were told that the saying, "goodnight, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite" was because of the way their beds were made. Their boxspring (so to say) was just a bunch of ropes tied together. They needed to be tightened every night before bedtime due to the untightening of them during the night before's usage. The bedbug part of the saying was from the straw that was put inside the blankets for insulation. It was a good night if you didn't have little critters bitin' ya.

The town of Kirtland actually owns this table. It is said that they have records that indicate this table has always been in the storehouse, in this very room. This room was where Joseph would come to work on revising the Bible.

The School of the Prophets

This picture, and the next picture, is the room where Joseph held, "The School of the Prophets." This was for the uneducated men that were going out to serve missions. This is also the room where God the Father and Jesus appeared with a room full of 20 men. Coincidentally, only four men wrote about it in their journals. I was thinking it, but the tour guide said it, "I am just speculating here, but, I presume that not all 20 men saw them."

The School of the Prophets room, is also where Emma had to come in and clean up after all the men that spit tobacco out on the floor. After about a month of doing this, she told her husband that she didn't think it was fair and he then went into the room where he revised the bible and prayed about it. He had a revelation about the Word of Wisdom and D&C 89 was written.

The Kirtland Temple

The last part of our trip was going over to tour the Kirtland Temple. I was anxiously awaiting to see the inside. This might be very rude to say, but our tour guide didn't seem to know too much, so I was a little disappointed.

So, even though a lot of my questions went unanswered, it was amazing to think of how the pioneers built this beautiful structure. So much time and effort was put into building a "House of The Lord" and then to just turn and leave it behind. What faith they must have had. I take way too many things for granted. I am so grateful for all that they did for us.


D&C 38:32
Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with the power from on high;

Holy Toledo

Jeff's younger brother, Bart, and his girlfriend, Marcie, came to visit us. Marcie's brother works at the airport, so they used buddy passes to get here. They flew out on March 7th. They were up by 3:00 am on the 7th to make their flight. They were supposed to arrive in Detroit at 5:04 pm. Jeff and I were so excited!

See, the 7th was also Bart's birthday. Marcie and I had been talking in emails and we were going to have a little bit of a party once they got here. The house was going to be decorated, we were going to eat Italian food, and I was also going to make his favorite cake. It was going to be great!

Jeff and I woke up early and started running errands. We had to get our oil changed, tires rotated -- and of course, start getting ready for the party!

So, of course, something needs to go wrong, right? Bart and Marcie flew from Salt Lake to Denver. As they were getting ready to land, Marcie felt sick. Yep! Guess what? Somebody couldn't hold her biscuits, and got sick on the plane! So, during their three hour layover, Marcie was running to the bathroom to throw up. She was finally able to rest and felt a little better.

They were about to get on the airplane headed for Detroit, in fact, Marcie's ticket was printed out, when -- people rushed up to the counter asking if they could still get on. After getting them boarded, there was only one seat left on the plane. They called to tell us that they didn't make that flight, and the next one didn't leave until 6pm. We felt so bad. They had already waited long enough.

So after many phone calls (during those six hours) they had decided to try and make that later flight, but if they couldn't, they would be flying back to Salt Lake an hour after that. We wanted them to come, but how much fun is celebrating your birthday and also being sick at the airport?

Well, around 8pm (our time) they called and told us they were on the plane and it was about ready to take off. They would be landing in Detroit at 11:09 pm. Yay!

Finally after, a very long day (for them, not us), they were in Detroit! I doubt they were quite as excited as we were.

Finally!

Bart posing with Marcie and the piggybank she gave him

Bart and his cake

You can see how excited he is to get his cake on the 8th of March

We didn't make it home until 12:30 am

(by the way, he works for frito-lay)

singing happy birthday to Bart

make a wish!

More comfy ways to sleep

You might remember when I posted pictures in September or October of Braxton sleeping in all sorts of awkward positions. Well, a few weeks ago we were getting ready for bed and Braxton wanted to watch his "animusic" dvd. We put it in for him and I got side-tracked doing something. When I went in to check on him, he had fallen asleep and was yet again in another really comfortable looking position:

Pool Party!

Our nephew had his fifth birthday party while we were home for Christmas Break. Braxton hasn't had an opportunity to go swimming much, so when we found out it was a pool party we were way excited.


At first Braxton was a little reserved and was being very cautious. Pretty soon he was running all around the kiddie-pool area and I was so nervous. At one time he slipped and his head went under and I nonetheless, flipped out. I grabbed his arm and yanked him up. He was trying to wipe the water out of his eyes and catch his breath. When he saw me, his first word was, "refreshing!" I was so worried, but I couldn't help but laugh. He watches a show called, The Doodlebops, and one guy always gets water dumped on his head and afterward he always says, "refreshing!"


So, then Mom and Braxton ventured off toward the slide. I have never considered myself a great swimmer, so I was really nervous. The water wasn't deep but still. What if I dropped him? So, I put a life-jacket on him and when we got in line I heard the news. Kids weren't allowed to wear them down the slide. The thought did cross my mind, "well, can the parents?" but I decided not to ask. So, down the slide we went. (It was a fast slide, too) After that, we never went back over to the kiddie-pool. We had to do the slide the rest of the time. He had so much fun. Now whenever he sees the number 5, he reminds me that his cousin just turned 5 and that we need to make a trip to the pool!


The other great thing that came out of it was he finally got potty trained!!! He has kept asking/begging me to go to the pool since we have gotten back home. Finally it hit me and I said, "Brax, you know how much you love to go swimming?" he shook his head. I then said, "Well guess what else likes to go swimming?" Yep, you guessed it - but it worked. That night he woke up in the middle of the night saying he needed to go to the bathroom and we have been pull-up/diaper free ever since. Thank goodness!

"hi daddy!"

Standing in line for the slide

cheeeeez.

Christmas Day 2006

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Jeff's family. Braxton was so excited. He finally knew that Santa was coming and that he was going to get presents. He could hardly wait!

Posing on the stairs Christmas Morning

Daddy helping me open a present

All my new gifts!

Where did the cookies, milk and carrots go?

(and note from Santa)

Christmas Eve 2006

Alright, I admit, I haven't been on top of things lately. I am just getting Christmas pictures posted - Christmas was only two months ago. I do have an excuse, though. I did try to post a blog shortly after I got back from Utah (Jan. 16th) and the website was having problems. I lost my patience after the sixth try and gave up. I guess you can see that I wasn't too terribly excited to try again. Anyway - so here are just a few pictures of our trip to Utah for our Christmas break.

The important hanging of the Christmas Stockings!

Leaving cookies and milk for Santa and carrot sticks for the reindeer!

You're Invited

Braxton was invited to his very first kids only birthday party! It was for a little girl friend, Manhattan (Hattie), from church. Even though it was very "girly", he had a ton of fun. It was an "Under the Sea" birthday party. Hattie's Momma went all out!

Braxton with Hattie and the gift he gave her

The Lunch Menu was:

Hot Doctopus (look closely at the hot dog)

Seashells & Cheese

Goldfish

Seaweed Juice

Decorating the goodie bag

Cragun Christmas 2006

December 2006

Dear family & friends,
A lot has happened in the year of 2006. Jeff was asked to serve as second counselor in the Sunday School Presidency. Let me tell you folks, he was the best church bell ringer I have ever heard. He was so precise in his timing. It was amazing. You would have had to see (hear) it in action to believe it. Other than that job, he did have to substitute for any Sunday school teacher that didn’t show up. Which was not that fun. It is a good thing that his calling wasn’t too terribly time consuming because in the middle of February I was asked to be the Young Women’s President. I was so excited at first, because I really wanted to work with the youth and hopefully be someone that the girls could count on - like some of my leaders were for me. I did not however, realize how time consuming that calling would be. I felt like I was always going to meetings or activities. Which, I guess I was. But, I know that even though it was quite a lot to do, it actually had me so busy that I didn’t have the time anymore to really miss Utah or family. It helped with Jeff being in school also. I didn’t have much time to stress over that. So, I guess the Lord does know what he is doing. (Yay! Because I sure didn‘t/don‘t.)

Jeff and I celebrated our fifth anniversary this summer. He then went in for surgery on his nose a few days later. I would love to show pictures of him but Jeff doesn’t think they are very cute. It was so funny, because every time I would take a picture he would say, “let me know when you are going to take the picture” so, I’d tell him and then he’d smile. It was so funny to see this guy who looked like he’d been hit by a semi-truck sit there and smile. He is a funny guy.


In August we were able to go on vacation with my parents. We flew out to Missouri, saw my sister, Annette and her family, and then went to see some church sites. It was incredible! I had so much fun, especially in Nauvoo. I think I could stay there for days and days and never get bored. In fact, I would pick up and move there in a second if I knew that we could survive in that small of a town. It is so neat now to see pictures of Nauvoo, Liberty Jail, Independence, etc … and know that we have been there and have seen those things with our own eyes. It is definitely something we won’t forget.


Braxton turned three in September. When we went to his three-year check up he weighed 37 lbs and was 41 inches tall. All of the nurses at the clinic were looking at his chart to see how fast he has grown compared to other kids his age. I’m not sure at what age you are supposed to double their height to guesstimate how tall they’ll be when they become adults. From what we have heard, he will be anywhere from 6’2” - 6’6”.


To update you on Braxton’s doings this past year - he now recognizes both upper and lower case letters. He can count to 20 really well and 30 with some help. He also recognizes number 0 thru 20. We have kept up on learning sign language and he still loves it very much. He knows well over 150 signs. He doesn’t use them as often as he once did but on rainy days we could sit there for hours and quiz each other on signs. In fact, in nursery they sign for a few minutes and the teacher was teaching animal signs. She got to chicken and couldn’t remember what the sign was. Braxton said, “It’s like this …” and proceeded to do the sign. She told me she was very grateful to have him help teach the class.


Speaking of nursery, we had a bit of an embarrassing moment. I found out that he had been talking to his leaders about “da devil.“ Well, I am sure that they were thinking, this kid is possessed OR that we weren’t teaching him the same things at home as they teach in church. When I heard this, I asked the leaders if they had a toy vacuum in the nursery or a popper toy, which you push like a vacuum and little balls inside pop around. I found out that they did and had to explain that instead of calling a vacuum, a vacuum - he calls them, “da devil” for dirt devil. He saw a dirt devil commercial once and now thinks all vacuums are dirt devils.


He is a very particular little boy. He likes things organized and in their place. This summer Jeff and I were at the grocery store and Braxton started snapping his fingers (that is what he does when he is upset or something is wrong) and saying, “no, no, no.” We had no clue as to what the problem was, so I told Jeff just to put him down and let him throw a tantrum and we’d just walk away. Well, so much for Braxton’s mom knowing anything. That isn’t what happened at all. As soon as Jeff put him down he ran over to a display of doughnuts and picked up a box that had tipped over on it’s side, turned them upright and came running back over to us. I was stunned. Out of everything in that entire store, that is what he noticed.


Last year for Christmas he got a “leap frog” toy that helps him learn the sounds that the letters make. He knows almost all of them. He is a little confused with “W.” When I ask him what it says, he says, “dubba, dubba, dubba. Like water.” I don’t quite know how he put those two together. I have learned not to put anything past him anymore, though. He is one smart cookie. The last week in November he started reading. You might remember that he was sight-reading a bit last year, but this year he is actually sounding out the words. So far he can read the words: bat, car, dad, star, hat, lip, cat, fun, bug, mom, dog, stop, go, lid, and of course, walmart!


Well, I don’t feel that this newsletter would be complete if we didn’t add that we have once again moved. Basically it was to save some money so that we can get done with school quicker. That did however put us into the other ward. I was quite sad because I have made some really great friends in the other ward but on the other hand, I was released from my calling. I thought that was a pretty sweet deal- and then came the new calling. Jeff and I are nursery leaders! Agggghhhhhh! Um - the first day we were in nursery, a member of the bishopric came to see how we were doing. He then said, “Everyone should have an opportunity to serve in the nursery at least once. “ he added, “I did many, many years ago and soon after became inactive.”


Jeff should be graduating from law school in about a year. The fall of 2007 is what it looks like it is going to be if we can continue going full-time and don‘t get a clerkship over the summer. Spring of 2008 at the latest. We can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Wahoo!


We will be headed to Utah for Christmas break and are very excited to spend the holidays with our families. It has been two years since we have been able to be home for this wonderful time of year and it will be really nice to be back for the few weeks that we will be visiting.


The Cragunclan wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday. May the spirit of Christmas fill your homes and hearts.
Sending our Love,
Jeff, Maria & Braxton aka The Cragunclan!

Braxton meets Santa

We were at our favorite store (Walmart) yesterday when over the loud-speaker we heard that Santa was in the store and taking pictures with kids. Of course, we had to get a picture of Braxton with him. We have never had a picture taken with Santa before.

Braxton was real excited when we asked him if he wanted to see Santa. But, as soon as he saw him, he got nervous and didn't want to get anywhere near him. Santa was nice and said, "You don't have to sit on my lap. Will you just stand by me?" So of course, he didn't really want to - but I kind of pushed him by Santa. (If you look closely you'll see my hand making sure he'd stay.) He almost started crying but then the picture taker said say cheese, so Braxton obeyed.

I don't know what it is about making your kids take a picture with Santa when they don't really want to. Oh well, we now have the memory, right?

Farewell Yellow Wiggle

It is a sad time for kids (and parents.) Well, I have made a few blogs on here devoted to The Wiggles and how much Braxton loves them. I was really sad to hear the news that Greg Page, the yellow wiggle, will no longer be able to perform with the wiggles due to a genetic disease he has. It is called Orthostatic intolerance which cause him to have dizziness, fatigue and nausea. I guess technically what happens is when he is standing his heart isn't able to pump blood to all of the parts that it needs to. He can't keep up with the others singing and dancing. The disease fortunately is not life-threatening.

Greg was one of the founders of this group after he and two others from the group met while studying early childhood education. They have been together nearly 16 years. Out of all the australian celebrities, they were ranked 3rd in profiting money last year. They came behind the music group AC/DC and actress Nicole Kidman after grossing 50 million (Australian) dollars - that's 39 million in U.S. dollars.

Now, I have to admit that I have made fun of these guys for dancing and jumping around like wackos, but I am so impressed with how devoted they are and just how much Braxton has actually learned from them.

It came time to break the news to Braxton - I almost started bawling. Braxton didn't really seem to understand. We told him that the yellow wiggle will now be known as Sam wiggle (the guy who is replacing him) and he said, "no, it's Greg." Then later we asked him who Sam wiggle was, and he said, "oh it's Greg." So maybe he gets it. I dunno. Really, he probably won't even care as long as The Wiggles keep going strong.

It is funny, about a month ago the Wiggles were on Live with Regis and Kelly, and Greg wasn't there. Someone was there replacing him. They said he had a cold or the flu or something. I doubt that was the case, I'm sure he was struggling with this problem, I just hope he will be able to lead a happy and healthy life. FAREWELL YELLOW WIGGLE, WE'LL MISS YOU!